Monsanto contributes to two Putnam County organizations

Published: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 8:22 p.m. CST

By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com

HENNEPIN – Two Putnam County organizations have a bit more in their coffers thanks to Frank Bruer, Chauntelle Biagi-Bruer and Monsanto. Both Toys in the Pantry and the Putnam County Emergency Medical Services received $2,500 from the Monsanto Co. as part of its America’s Farmers Grow Communities program on March 18.

“The program started about several years ago. We let the farmers decide what projects they want to see funded,” said Brian Joehl, account manager for Monsanto’s Princeton office. “The money comes from our Monsanto Fund. The organizations under consideration have to be non-profit. Usually, we contribute $2,500, but we double that amount in a county that counts as a disaster area.”

The Bruers are customers of Monsanto and sent in the names of the two organizations.

“There’s an eight-person panel that looks over the applications and makes the selections. They make the decision based on the organization’s need and the request from the farmers,” Joehl said. “This is just our way of trying to give back to the community.”